When Angela considered using starfish or sand dollars for the magnets, Ryan was the one who quickly nixed this idea because they are living creatures. Instead, he picked driftwood.

This truly is a family affair. Ryan had the idea to create the magnets and the desire to help the ocean, Dad created the artwork and Mom found a local boutique to sell them.

Love of ocean knowledge
As I talked with Ryan, I was amazed by his knowledge at such a young age. He walked around Ocean Conservancy’s St. Petersburg, Florida, office and easily identified the various marine animals in pictures on our walls.

Witnessing trash hurting wildlife
I was curious about what motivated Ryan to protect the ocean and its creatures. He told me, “I want to help them because I felt bad when pollution like bags got in the water… I saw a bird picking at garbage and a garbage bag almost on a shark’s gills.”

I asked Ryan what he would tell people about trash in the ocean. He earnestly hopes people will dispose of trash properly.

You can make a difference
Often when I’m discussing taking action for a cause with people, they relay the sentiment, “I’m just one person, I can’t possibly have that big of an impact on the world.”
Ryan proves that you can.